Japan retail sales remained sluggish in December
Adds fuel to Q4 contraction forecasts.
BBVA notes that retail sales rose by a disappointing 0.1% m/m seasonally adjusted from November (consensus: 0.4%; prior: 0.0%).
"Given the data thus far, it is likely that Japan’s economy contracted in Q4 for a third consecutive quarter," said BBVA, adding that Japan’s cabinet has just approved a draft budget of 92.6tn yen in hopes of boosting domestic demand and stimulating economic growth.